Compass: Load. Tap. Ride.

Compass is the reloadable fare card that works everywhere on transit in Metro Vancouver. It’s convenient, easy to use, and secure. Simply load Stored Value or a pass onto your card and tap your way across the system.

Where to load: Load you Compass Card online at compasscard.ca, at a Compass Vending Machine or by phone at 604.398.2042.

Compass Cards can be loaded with the fare product of your choice including Monthly Passes, DayPasses, and Stored Value. View our fare prices.

There are two types of Compass Cards; Adult and Concession:

Adult Card

The most commonly used card — it can be loaded with pass products or Stored Value for pay-as-you-go trips.

Concession Card

Eligible for HandyCard holders, seniors 65 years and older and youth 14-18 years with valid photo identification proving age, and children 5-13 years.

Compass Cards can be purchased at compasscard.ca, by phone, at retailer locations or from a Compass Vending Machine (Adult Cards only). Visit our Where to Buy page for details and to find a location nearest you.

$6 Refundable Card Deposit: Compass Cards cost $6, which is a refundable deposit, meaning that if you no longer need your card you can return it to us at one of our customer service locations or by mail. Visit our Refund Policy page for more information.

Loading your Card

Compass Cards can be loaded with Monthly Passes, DayPasses or Stored Value the following ways:

In person at the Compass Customer Service Centre at Stadium–Chinatown Station or the West Coast Express Office at Waterfront Station

By calling 604.398.2042

Loading Multiple Products on your Compass Card

When you have multiple products on your card, passes are used first (Monthly, followed by a DayPass or a West Coast Express Return Pass), and then Stored Value if needed. It's best to load a DayPass only if you intend to use it the next time you travel. If you want to travel on your Stored Value and a DayPass is present, the system will activate your DayPass first.

Can more than one person travel on one card?

Each traveler must have his or her own Compass Card or ticket as the system won't allow "passbacks" (meaning you can't tap in and then pass your card to the person behind you). A great feature of Compass is that you can use Compass Card Stored Value to purchase another card or a Compass Ticket for your travel companion at any Compass Vending Machine.

Lost or Stolen Cards

To replace lost or stolen cards, please visit the Compass Customer Service Centre at Stadium–Chinatown SkyTrain Station, the West Coast Express Office at Waterfront Station, or call 604.398.2042. Safeguard your balance by registering your card for balance protection at compasscard.ca.

Compass Wristbands

To help improve customer convenience, we're introducing Compass Wristbands — a Compass Card that you wear on your wrist!

In response to the incredible demand for Compass Wristbands in December, which sold out in less than two hours, we're happy to announce that another batch of Adult and Concession wristbands are now on sale.

FAQs

How do the wristbands work?

Just like a Compass Card. Tap in and out when travelling on transit and reload online, at a Compass Vending Machine, by phone or in person. Just like a Compass Card, you’ll pay a $6 refundable fee when you pick up your wristband. Remember to tap the part of the wristband that displays the contactless symbol.

Why are wristbands only available at the Compass Customer Service Centre and West Coast Express Office?

We have to encode them with a special machine before they're used for the first time and this can only be done at our two customer-service centres in Vancouver.

I have a BC Bus Pass/U-Pass BC/other program pass, can I use the Compass Wristband?

Wristbands work just like adult and concession Compass Cards, which means you can load a U-Pass BC onto a blue adult wristband. Other program cards can’t be loaded onto a wristband.

I have a small/large wrist, will the wristband fit?

The wristbands are adjustable and can accomodate small and large wrists.

Can I transfer my Compass products to a wristband?

Yes, but this can only be done at one of our customer service centres, because we need to encode the wristband before use.

Are there any other wearable Compass products coming?

We don’t have anything planned at this time. However, we’re always monitoring the availability of new products.

How do I register my new wristband?

Like a Compass Card, you can register your wristband online which gives you balance protection and the option to sign up for other features like AutoLoad or our Bike Parkade program.

What if I lose my wristband?

Can I register the wristband and set up AutoLoad?

Yes, you can register online just like a Compass Card, which will provide you with balance protection, in case you lose your card. You can also sign up for AutoLoad.

How to Use Your Compass Card

Tapping in validates you fare. On buses, tap in when you board at the start of your journey or when transferring. When you tap in on the bus, the system charges a one-zone fare.

On the SkyTrain, SeaBus and West Coast Express, tap in when you enter the station and tap out when you exit or at key transfer points. Tapping reserves the fare for a three-zone trip, or a full-distance trip in the case of West Coast Express.

When you tap out, the system calculates the fare zones you've travelled and charges you the correct fare. This applies to all products, including Monthly Passes.

looking for more information on Compass? Check out our list of Frequently Asked Questions on compasscard.ca

How to Tap

Remove the card from your wallet to avoid interference from other RFID cards.

Hold it flat against the card reader until you hear a beep and see a check mark to proceed.

The card reader will indicate the fare deducted and the remaining balance, or date the pass expires.

Where to Tap

On buses

Tap in at the card readers located near the bus doors when boarding. You don't need to tap out when exiting.

SkyTrain and SeaBus

Tap in and out at the fare gates when entering and exiting–even if the gates are open.

West Coast Express*

Tap in and out at the validators when entering and exiting.

*The only exception is in the morning at Waterfront Station, when you don't need to tap at the concourse validators.

What's the minimum amount of Stored Value required to start a journey?

When you use Stored Value on buses, Skytrain service or the Seabus, Compass allows you to complete a single journey with as little as $0.01 on your card by giving you a negative card balance.

For West Coast Express customers, the minimum Stored Value amount is $4.50 due to fare structures and related considerations.

Why go negative? In situations where your balance is low, you’ll have the security of being able to make a single trip. Just remember to top up your card with Stored Value before you start your next trip.

Use the instructions below to find your Compass receipts and transaction history, based on the method of purchase.

Receipts for Online or Phone Purchases

Stored Value and Passes

View receipts for Stored Value and pass purchases by logging into compasscard.ca and clicking on "view card usage" under the My Cards tab.

Receipts are also sent to the email address associated with your account.=

Stored Value and Monthly Passes (AutoLoad)

Download transaction history for Stored Value and Monthly Pass AutoLoads by logging into compasscard.ca and selecting "My Cards" and then "Card Usage." Choose "Sales transaction" to filter your transaction history. Note that only the dollar amount for Stored Value purchases will be displayed; Monthly Passes will show up as a $0 value. Visit the Monthly Pass or West Coast Express fare pages for monthly pass fare pricing.

Receipts will be sent to the email address associated with your account.

At CVMs, please select the receipt option at the end of your transaction and retain your receipts.

For purchases made at the Compass Customer Service Centre, please retain the receipt provided to you by the customer-service clerk.

You can also view and download a history of the types of products loaded and purchased to your card by logging into compasscard.ca and selecting "My Cards" and then "Card Usage." Choose "Sales transaction" to filter your history. You'll see the types of products you've loaded, but only Stored Value amounts will appear; passes will show up as a $0 value. Visit the Monthly Pass or West Coast Express fare pages for monthly pass fare pricing.

Difference between "Sales Transactions" and "Usage Transactions" under "Card Usage"

Sales transactions show the types of products loaded to the card.

Usage transactions show your taps in and out, along with the amount deducted if paying for your trips with Stored Value.